Ugandan poll: Bobi Wine under house arrest, as Museveni takes early lead

Museveni

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was under house arrest on Friday, a day after elections in which early results showed a commanding lead for President Yoweri Museveni as he seeks to extend his 40-year rule.

Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has been accused of “brutal repression” of the opposition in the run-up to the vote, and his government imposed an internet blackout this week.

With around a quarter of votes counted, the Electoral Commission said Museveni was on 76.25 per cent to Wine’s 19.85.

Election day on Thursday was marred by significant technical problems after biometric machines — used to confirm voters’ identities — malfunctioned and ballot papers were undelivered for several hours in many areas.